Chapter 191
Chapter 191
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 191
Chapter Title: Heir of the Fighting Emperor
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Having wrapped up his agreement with Charlotte, Krash parted ways with her and set off.
And before long, presences began drawing near him.
Krash turned his head. There stood a woman with ash-gray hair tied up high, her shark-like teeth standing out prominently.
"Yo, little bro."
Seeing her brush off what could have been called a crisis moments ago as if it were nothing, Krash let out a sigh.
"Rona's situation could expose you as one of Crimson Garden's kin at any slip-up, and here you are acting all carefree?"
"Wahaha, that did give me a bit of a scare. Rona's a wild one, but she doesn't lie."
Though that wild streak seems to include you too.
Anyway, she let out a hearty laugh and rested a hand on her hip.
"So, what's the deal with calling me out here specifically?"
"Keep watching over Rona Imbreeze."
Her eyes flashed briefly at those words.
"Rona didn't point to just one specific person. You're betting one of the Black Witch's kin will show up near her, right?"
True to form for someone who wielded magic, Taria grasped it immediately.
"Yes. The Black Witch wouldn't just sit idly by while her carefully planted seed gets exposed."
If Rona slipped up and spilled everything about the World Erosionist's kin, they'd take a massive hit too.
Any of the Black Witch's kin would naturally want to eliminate Rona first.
Taria, as a first-year student, had more freedom to stick close to Rona than Krash, a second-year.
"That aside, it's still wise to keep an eye on her."
Hearing that, Taria tilted her head.
"Any other reason?"
"Just keeping the possibility open."
Taria crossed her arms and hummed thoughtfully.
"If things get dicey, call me through Crimson Garden right away. I'll come running."
Krash pointed up at the sky.
A single crow was gliding lazily overhead.
Taria glanced up and grinned.
"You think I look that weak? I can handle it solo, no problem."
As expected from the top of the first-year magic department, she brimmed with pride.
And being one of Crimson Garden's kin, she'd no doubt learned plenty of spells from her.
But the world wasn't that simple.
"If I'm in danger, I'll call for help too."
Taria was sixteen this year.
She was undoubtedly a genius, destined to become one of the Ten Heavenly Strong later on.
But that was later.
For now, by the world's standards, she wasn't overwhelmingly strong yet.
Taria was still a fledgling, inexperienced in the ways of the world, much like anyone else her age.
Even a genius like her could slip up at any moment.
"Especially against World Erosionists—even if you're skilled, charging in alone won't end well."
World Erosionists mostly wielded powers alien to this world.
They created unpredictable variables through their unique training methods from their own realms.
Krash had seen countless people die to such variables.
Naturally, Taria couldn't avoid them either.
"So call me. Two's better than one, right?"
"...Hmm."
Taria, arms still crossed as she listened, soon uncrossed them and adjusted her glasses.
"Little bro, you're such an old soul. Reminds me of the Mage Tower instructors."
"Call it mature."
"Fair enough. Fifteen's just the age when kids love acting grown-up."
She nodded, reminiscing about her own phase like that.
Sorry, but he'd lived at least a decade longer than her.
Of course, Taria had no way of knowing that.
"Got it. I'll keep your advice in mind, little bro."
Taria waved and took off.
Krash watched her go, feeling uneasy about it.
And for good reason—Taria had made a similar mistake before due to her pride.
That incident had left her holed up in the Mage Tower for a while.
"Senior Taria, just remember one thing."
Krash called out to her back.
"The Black Witch can implant her kin into someone without their knowledge or consent."
"Noted."
With that, Taria departed.
Krash stared at the spot where she'd vanished, then spoke up.
"Crimson Garden, I'm counting on you."
That side could be trusted to Crimson Garden.
Krash stretched his arms with a yawn, cracking his neck.
The day felt endlessly long for some reason.
'Darling blabbed, so I need to hurry up and undo this female transformation, then hole up in my room.'
Training or whatever—mental fatigue was hitting hard.
Time to crash.
Finally back to his male form, Krash returned to the dorm feeling a wave of relief.
"How'd it go?"
He recalled Darling asking with those expectant eyes on the way back, which made his blood boil a bit.
But he'd gritted his teeth through it and finally reached his dorm room.
"Ah, Lord Krash!"
The moment he thought about flopping into bed, he ran into his personal maid Alicia standing outside the door for some reason.
She waved enthusiastically upon seeing him, and Krash approached with a puzzled greeting.
"Alicia, what are you doing out here?"
"There's a guest inside, my lord."
A guest?
Krash blinked.
No one was scheduled to visit.
'Who could it be?'
Krash glanced around.
The kids who'd been staring hurried into their rooms, startled.
The dorm felt unusually chaotic for some reason.
Krash's gaze shifted to his own door.
An ominous vibe told him not to open it.
After a brief hesitation, Krash turned the knob anyway.
His personality preferred confronting suspicions head-on.
Creeeak—
The door, stubborn today of all days, swung open as Krash stepped inside.
Instantly, the room felt oppressively full.
No—stuffed was more like it.
And for good reason: at the room's table sat a monster sipping tea from a cup far smaller than his own hand.
Krash stared blankly at the creature, tempted to shut the door and bolt.
But knowing the guest's status, he held back and addressed him.
"Headmaster."
It was none other than Durandal, the former Heavenly Super Strong known as the Fighting Emperor.
What kind of sight was this—the headmaster casually sipping tea in his room?
One thing was certain: it wasn't a welcome one.
"Oh, Student Krash, you're finally here. Been busy, I see."
"Excelling at Raheln Academy keeps me occupied in all sorts of ways."
"Haha, topping the Martial Department in the midterms too. Congratulations."
The headmaster hadn't come just to congratulate him.
Krash approached with wary eyes.
"Seems like you were waiting for me. Any particular reason?"
If you have business, state it and go.
Krash infused his words with that intent.
Durandal chuckled heartily and gestured.
"Have a seat first."
Krash sat as bidden.
Alicia swiftly set tea and snacks before him.
He'd had his fill of sweets from the women's council and had no appetite, but out of courtesy, he took a sip and eyed Durandal.
There sat a massive bear of a man.
Facing him across the table really drove home just how enormous he was.
The problem was, this giant moved with surprising agility despite his size.
"Student Krash, do you want to grow stronger?"
An out-of-left-field question.
But a utterly pointless one too.
Every kid in the Martial Department thought the same.
"Of course."
"No, I mean something more fundamental. Do you have a goal in growing stronger?"
Krash blinked.
Durandal's eyes were more serious than anyone's he'd seen.
A goal.
Of course he did.
Back in his half-baked days, Krash had lived a life where no goal mattered.
But there was one he could hold onto.
To stop the world's destruction.
The sole goal of Krash's life.
To avert doom, he'd never rested, always craving strength.
Did Durandal sense that?
Even without an answer, he smiled slowly, creases forming at his mouth.
"Those with goals grow endlessly strong. I've seen plenty like that."
In that turbulent era.
Durandal had witnessed them grow—or abandon their paths—in their own ways, time and again.
And hoping even one more wouldn't falter, he'd founded Raheln Academy.
"Long ago, the previous generation of Sephira left a prophecy."
Sephira, the astrologer clan.
Durandal, who'd kept that prophecy in mind ever since, gazed at Krash.
"They say voicing a prophecy binds its subject to fate, so I won't mention it."
Krash reflected in his clear eyes.
"I believe you, Student Krash, fit that prophecy."
Krash looked puzzled.
He couldn't fathom what Durandal was building up to.
"Do you know of Disaster Dragonfall, the secret art I created?"
"Yes, of course..."
The brutal secret art said to fell the dragon of calamity.
Durandal had thwarted countless World Erosions with it.
Because Disaster Dragonfall was optimized against World Erosion.
It could even be called an anti-World Erosion technique.
Through it, Durandal had stripped World Erosion powers from those turned into kin, restoring them.
Like Jennicalen, the academy's magic department associate professor behind the noble kidnapping during midterms.
"I've never named a successor to Disaster Dragonfall. No heirs, and no suitable candidate."
Krash's eyes widened slowly at those words.
He'd caught on to what Durandal meant.
"Disaster Dragonfall."
A smile curved Durandal's lips.
"Student Krash, would you learn it?"
Become the heir of Fighting Emperor Durandal.
That was his offer.
Krash froze, eyes wide.
An absurd stroke of fortune had landed.
He had to face Ixion and the World Erosionist gathering ahead.
Mastering Disaster Dragonfall would be a huge boon.
But aside from that, one issue remained.
Krash himself wielded World Erosion power.
Using Disaster Dragonfall would clash directly with it.
It was the complete opposite of the path he'd been walking.
What results that might bring, even Krash couldn't predict.
Yet he wasn't fool enough to pass up the opportunity before him.
Life was a bundle of risks.
He knew better than anyone how massive the rewards were for crushing them.
'There has to be a way to use Disaster Dragonfall.'
Krash's mind raced.
'Ah.'
Lightning struck in his head.
Just one.
Really, just one.
Gaining that curse could yield insane results.
And conveniently, he was headed to find Beltua Rocklord for a top-tier curse.
The puzzle pieces clicked perfectly, propelling another step toward averting the world's end.
Krash's blue eyes gleamed fiercely.
"I'll learn it."
Those with goals grow strong.
It described Krash to a tee.